Susan Lafferty1971. Our family travels to a town in the mountains for the mission’s annual meeting.
And I’m participating in the youth gathering.
What I remember? The impact still felt today?
Two testimonies.
And what happens next.
My friend hesitates. Uncomfortable when I speak of “the fear of the Lord.” And pray it for our children.
Through the years, from their youngest days, this has been my prayer. That they may walk in the fear of the Lord. Know His wisdom. Recognize His holiness.
But there are too many things to fear in our world today. We don’t need to make God one more thing to fear. Right? I think that’s the unspoken piece of this friend’s response.
But Jesus talks about fear. The wrong kind and the right kind.
I kept a diary during my high school years. Daily inscriptions of great importance. “Went to the store and bought deodorant.” “My hair was so oily today at church.” “Studied Chemistry all afternoon.” A few details of my hopes and dreams and struggles spilled out on paper. But for the most part, I reported activities…or hair conditions.
Recently I found a few brief sentences recording a significant life-changing experience my senior year. In 1975-76 we were on furlough in Shreveport, Louisiana, and our family joined Highland Baptist Church. In September, we attended revival services there, led by Jack Taylor and Ron Dunn.